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Key mistakes hurt SoCal All-Stars against Arizona, 27-21

(1-20-14)--RIVERSIDE--SPORTS--SoCal's #17 quarterback Joseph Muriel, throw a pass to Malik Kimbrough in the Second quarter against Arizona Monday January 20, 2014 during the Canyon Coast Classic All Star Football game. at Riverside Community College in Riverside.LaFonzo Carter/ Staff Photographer

(1-20-14)--RIVERSIDE--SPORTS--SoCal's #9 Jake White, catch an interception over Arizona #7 Israel Simpson in the ends zone Monday January 20, 2014 during the Canyon Coast Classic All Star Football game. at Riverside Community College in Riverside.LaFonzo Carter/ Staff Photographer

RIVERSIDE >> Turnovers and surrendering long pass plays can make it difficult for any football team to overcome, let alone a team assembled over the weekend for a game on a Monday afternoon.

Yet, an all-star team from Arizona was able to stay away from those factors at Riverside City College and escape with a 27-21 decision over Southern California in the fourth Canyon Coastal Classic. Arizona leads the series, a cooperative effort by the football coaches association involved, 3-1.

“You can’t just overcome those turnovers,” said SoCal head coach Lou Farrar of Charter Oak, “but that’s what can take place in an all-star game. The kids just aren’t used to working with each other, not after four practices.

“But we had fun. We had some outstanding players and they showed their talent. My main focus was to teach them on what they could expect at the next level, and I think everyone on our roster is going there.”

Arizona built a 24-7 lead six plays into the second half when Mason Johnson of Higley High School intercepted a pass by Ian Fieber from Mission Viejo and returned it 65 yards for a score. Arizona intercepted a pair of Fieber passes, one in the red zone, and recovered three fumbles, two of which stopped potential SoCal scoring drives.

But rather than just roll over for Arizona, SoCal rallied for a pair of touchdowns in the final 12 minutes.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Roosevelt’s Joseph Muriel connected with Upland’s Trevor Wright for a 19-yard score, capping a 67-yard march in seven plays. It evened the score for Wright, who was ruled to have fumbled at the Arizona 18.

After stopping Arizona on its 29 with 2:39 left, SoCal crept within three of the lead when Muriel teamed with Charter Oak’s Donavin Washington for a 71-yard touchdown pass.

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“They left a linebacker on me,” said Washington, who had four catches for 20 yards before the score. “I just ran after I caught the ball.”

However, J.T. Nettleton recovered the onside kick to close out SoCal. Arizona sealed the verdict on a 35-yard pass from Zach Werlinger of Basha to Scottsdale Prep’s Matt Munsil on a third-and-five call to the SoCal 8. With just seconds remaining, Ben Sweet of Pinnacle kicked his second field goal, this one from 30 yards out that hit the side post and the bottom bar before trickling over.

Arizona was forced to the air as the SoCal defense, spearheaded by Rancho Cucamonga’s Chris Unga, Redlands’ linebacker D.J. Biggers and Oak Hills’ lineman Kennedy Emesbie, surrendered just 44 yards on 30 carries Unga was credited with a pair of sacks.

“I gave it my all, it was my last football game,” said Unga, who has narrowed his collegiate choices to Utah State and Hawaii. “I played my best, but there were times they were triple-teaming me. I just wanted to give it my all. I love the game.”

Biggers was a constant force in forcing the visitors to the air.

“It was all the same stuff,” said Biggers, whose future is still uncertain. “I got double-teamed once, but nothing after that. I think my speed had something to do with that.”